MSUS is in the process of discerning our mission and beginning the process of creating our covenant-how we can stay in "right relation" with one another, and maintain our community.

A vision is an image of where the congregation would like to be in the future (this doesn't include specific goals, such as numbers of members, a building, or staff).

Our mission is a statement of our purpose, why we exist, how we transform the lives of our members and the community around us, and how the community is better off because we are here. Mission is outward, rather than inward looking. A clear, shared sense of mission is essential to a healthy, vital organization. Mission-driven organizations display a sense of excitement and energy not felt in organizations that are unsure why they exist or where they are going. If we understand and agree on why we exist, we can better set priorities for our work and our stewardship efforts.

A covenant is a set of promises we make to one another about the quality of the relationships we wish to have as we live and work together to achieve our vision and mission. Covenants strengthen our sense of community, and help us live our UU principles, especially respecting the worth and dignity of every person. Clear, shared covenants prevent conflict by combining the promises we make to the church and its members, and promises we would like the church and its members to make to us.

A Note to the Congregation from a Member:

On Sunday, April 27, at noon, and on one weekday evening during the week of April 21, the Strategic Planning Task Force will present the draft MSUS vision, mission, and covenant statements for congregational feedback. We will revise the draft statements based on feedback from these two meetings. Child care will be available if requested. It is important that as many of you be there as possible, so that we can achieve consensus on our vision, mission and covenant.

The revised statements will be proposed for a vote at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 14.

MSUS has a long tradition of making our important decisions based on consensus. It is especially important that we have consensus around our vision, mission and covenant statements, since these will guide our activities for years to come. To have consensus, we need your input! Please plan on attending one of these sessions.

As you review the statements to be discussed, reflect not only on your personal reaction, but on whether these statements serve the congregation as a whole. Think, too, about how they would be received by someone unfamiliar with UU churches who might be looking for a church to join.
If you think something needs to be changed (added/dropped/modified), please consider whether your comment would be:
· An overriding objection - you would not be able to vote for the statement unless the problem is fixed; please explain what makes this an overriding objection and suggest a solution;
· A preference - you would like to see something added or removed, but could support the statements as written; again, please explain; or
· Editorial - suggestions for changes in grammar or wording that do not change the meaning of the statement.

If you cannot attend the meeting on Sunday, April 27, and would like to provide feedback or agreement, please do so by noon on Saturday, April 26. Please use the categories above to label your comments, and please suggest alternative language. I will be collating these comments to share with the group on Sunday, so everyone will have an idea of the breadth of the feedback. You may provide your comments via email, telephone, letter, or by dropping your comments in a box in the lobby that will be provided for that purpose.

Many of us have had bad experiences in other organizations with mission statements that are developed, hung on the wall, and then forgotten. Here at MSUS, a version of our mission statement is read at the beginning of every Sunday service, so that visitors know, and our members are reminded, of what MSUS is all about.

MSUS will also be working to become a mission-driven organization. Therefore, the vision, mission and covenant statements will be more critical to priority-setting and decision-making than ever before. The vision, mission and covenant statements we adopt this spring will become woven into the fabric of this church, not hung on a wall and forgotten. If you want to shape the direction of the church, this is your chance!
 
Please contact us at Board@msuu.org if you have any questions.